Geocaching games having virtual prizes awarded in an associated video game and related methods and computer program products

ABSTRACT

Methods of implementing geocaching games are provided in which information is provided regarding a location of a waypoint. Thereafter, it is confirmed that a player of the game physically arrived at the waypoint. After such confirmation has been obtained, the player may be awarded a virtual prize. Related geocaching games and computer program products are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/620,148, filed Jan. 5, 2007, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming and, more particularly, to gamesthat include aspects of both geocaching games and video games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of video/computer games (referred to herein as “videogames”) are known in the art, including, for example, computer-basedvideo games, video games that run on specialized game consoles (e.g.,the PlayStation® I, II and II consoles sold by Sony Corporation and theXbox® consoles sold by Microsoft Corporation), handheld video games(e.g., the GameBoy® and Nintendo DSO products sold by NintendoCorporation), as well as a wide variety of games played on largermachines that are typically located in arcades or other commercialestablishments. Each of the aforementioned types of video games haveachieved high levels of popularity with both youth and adults alike.

Over the last decade, Internet or online “web-based” video games havealso increased in popularity. In these web-based video games, the gamesoftware is typically stored on one or more remote servers, and playersaccess the game over the Internet and/or other networks. One type ofweb-based video game that has grown in popularity is known as MassivelyMultiplayer Online Games (“MMOG”) which can support hundreds or eventhousands of players. MMOG games may be played in a giant, persistentworld.

Another game that has grown in popularity is an action/adventure gamethat was introduced around the year 2000 that is known as “geocaching.”Geocaching is an outdoor hide-and-seek (treasure hunting) type game inwhich “caches” are hidden (either inside or outside) in urban or ruralareas. The goal of the game is to find a hidden cache based upon thecoordinates of the cache and/or other clues or information that areprovided regarding the location of the cache. Typically, a cachecomprises a waterproof, sealed container that includes a logbook and awriting instrument, and may also include one or more rewards such as,for example, books, CDs, videos, DVDs, money, jewelry, trinkets,antiques, games, etc.

Caches are typically set up and maintained, without charge, byindividuals that are interested in playing geocaching games. In mostgeocaching games, a player obtains the coordinates (usually latitude andlongitude) of a hidden cache (and/or other information regarding thelocation of the cache) from an Internet website. A dozen or moreInternet websites containing extensive lists of cache locations exist,and may easily be located by searching on the term “geocache” using anInternet search engine. The coordinates of caches may also be obtained,for example, from other caches and/or shared between game participants.

A conventional geocaching game may be played as follows. First, ageocache game participant or “player” obtains the coordinates of aselected cache from an Internet website or from some other source. Next,the player enters the coordinates of the cache into a handheld GlobalPositioning Satellite (“GPS”) receiver. The player then physicallytravels to the location of the cache, using the GPS receiver as anavigational aid. Upon reaching the specified coordinates, the playerthen searches for the hidden cache. After the cache is found, the playertypically signs and dates the logbook, and may take a reward (if any)from the cache. If a reward is removed from the cache, the player isexpected to leave a reward of equal or greater value in its place.Geocaching games rely on an honor system with respect to the taking andleaving of awards in caches. Unfortunately, this honor system is notalways followed, and caches are sometimes plundered.

Increasing realism is a common thread among today's games, as isincreased interaction between players of the game and/or between thegame and the player. Games that achieve both high levels of interactionand high levels or realism tend to be very successful.

SUMMARY

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, methods forimplementing geocaching games are provided. Pursuant to these methods,an individual that desires to play a geocaching game is providedinformation regarding the location of a waypoint. The individual (or“player”) may then travel to the waypoint using, for example, a GPSreceiver as a navigational aide. After it has been confirmed that theplayer physically arrived at the waypoint, the player is awarded avirtual prize. The virtual prize may be awarded to the player while theplayer is physically present at the waypoint. The virtual prize may beassociated with a video game aspect of the geocaching game.

By way of example, in some embodiments of the present invention, thevirtual prize may be points that are awarded in the video game aspect ofthe game or a key that facilitates entry into a different level of thevideo game. In other embodiments, the virtual prize may be a virtualobject in a virtual cache that is associated with the waypoint. Morethan one virtual prize may be available. In such instances, the virtualprize awarded to the player may be selected based on a variety ofcriteria such as, for example, (1) the absolute time that the player isconfirmed as being physically present at the waypoint, (2) the time thatthe player arrives at the waypoint as compared to the times that otherplayers arrive at the waypoint or (3) how long it takes the player toreach the waypoint after being provided the information regarding thelocation of the waypoint.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information providedregarding the location of the waypoint may be the coordinates (e.g.,latitude and longitude) of the waypoint. In other embodiments, theinformation provided regarding the location of the waypoint may be aclue as to where the location is. The information regarding the locationof the waypoint may, but need not be, provided to the player by thevideo game.

In some embodiments, confirming that the player physically arrived atthe waypoint may be accomplished by receiving a message from the playertransmitted over a location-capable wireless device. In suchembodiments, the message may include information as to a currentlocation of the location-capable wireless device. In other embodiments,the confirmation that the player physically arrived at the waypoint maybe receipt of a message from the player that includes information thatgenerally could only be obtained at the waypoint. In some embodiments,each player may be charged a fee to access the video game.

Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, computer-basedgames are provided that include a video game component. In addition,these computer-based games are capable of confirming that a player ofthe game is physically present at a pre-selected location. Thesecomputer-based games may award the player a virtual prize forsuccessively reaching the pre-selected location.

Pursuant to additional embodiments of the present invention, methods ofimplementing a geocaching game are provided in which a message isreceived from a player of the game indicating that the player visited apre-selected waypoint. It is then confirmed (by one of a variety ofmethods) that the player in fact visited the waypoint. After thisconfirmation is received, the player may be awarded a virtual prize. Theplayer may be presented with a virtual logbook and allowed to make anentry into the virtual logbook. The prize may be a virtual object thatthe player may remove from a virtual cache, and the player may beallowed to place another virtual object into the virtual cache.

This geocaching game may be a multi-player geocaching game in which theplayer competes against other players. In some embodiments, the physicallocation of one or more of the players may be displayed to other of theplayers. The virtual prize that is awarded may be selected based on anumber of factors such as, for example, the degree of difficultyassociated with reaching the waypoint, the time (or order) that theplayer arrives at the waypoint as compared to other players, and/or thetime (or order) that the player arrives at the waypoint after receivinginformation regarding the location of the waypoint.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, computer-assistedgeocaching games are provided. These games may confirm that a player ofthe game physically arrived at a pre-selected location and, in responsethereto, present a virtual logbook to the player. The player may add anentry into the virtual logbook. The game may also award the player avirtual prize after confirming that the player physically arrived at apre-selected location.

Other systems, methods and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, be within thescope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate certain embodiment(s) of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a GPS system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates methods by which a GPSreceiver may use signals transmitted by a plurality of satellites todetermine the coordinates of the location of the GPS receiver.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating various components that maybe involved in playing geocaching video games according to variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary screen displayof an exemplary geocaching video game according to certain embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary screen displays ofanother exemplary geocaching game according to additional embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary screen displayof an exemplary game according to still further embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating methods of implementing a gameaccording to further embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating methods of implementing a gameaccording to still further embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system that may be used toimplement geocaching video games according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of statedfeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, geocaching games, andrelated methods and computer program products, are provided. In thepresent disclosure, references are made to the term “waypoint” and tothe phrase “virtual prize.” Herein, the term “waypoint” is used to referto a pre-selected physical location on the surface of the earth. Theterm “waypoint” is part of the geocaching vernacular, and refers to thephysical location where a cache is hidden. Herein the term “waypoint”has the same meaning, except that an actual cache may not be present atthe waypoint as, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, aplayer may be awarded a virtual prize for reaching a waypoint or foranswering questions with information obtained at a waypoint in lieu ofreceiving something from a physical hidden cache. Typically, a waypointis designated by its coordinates in latitude and longitude. Likewise,the term “virtual prize”, as used herein, refers to a reward that ismade available or given to a player of the game that is not a real,physical reward, but instead is something that is created, providedand/or simulated by software and/or a computer or computer network. Incertain embodiments, of the present invention, the virtual prize maycomprise a reward that is useable in a video game aspect of the gamesuch as, for example, points in the video game, access to differentlevels of the video game, access to special features in the video gamesuch as special weapons, armament, magic etc. In other embodiments, thevirtual prize may comprise a computer-based simulation or representationof an object such as a logbook or a trinket that a player may obtain inpossess in a virtual computer/software generated reality. In still otherembodiments, the virtual prize may be information, such as a clue to amystery, which is provided to the user by the software and/or thecomputer or computer network

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a GPS system 10 that may beused in playing geocaching games. As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system 10includes a plurality of global positioning satellites 20 that orbit theearth. The satellites are positioned such that a plurality of thesatellites 20 (three or more) should generally be viewable from mostlocations on the surface of the earth.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the manner in which a GPSreceiver 40 may use signals transmitted by a plurality of the satellites20 of FIG. 1 to determine the coordinates of the location of the GPSreceiver 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the GPS receiver 40 is able to receivesignals 30 from several of the global positioning satellites 20. Thesignal 30 transmitted by each global positioning satellite 20 identifiesthe location of the satellite 20. The GPS receiver 40 uses triangulationtechniques to determine the coordinates of the GPS receiver 40.Typically, a participant in a geocaching game enters the coordinates ofa selected cache (as obtained, for example, from a geocaching website)into the GPS receiver 40. The GPS receiver 40 may include built in maps,an electronic compass, voice navigation and various other features thathelp direct the user to the cache (i.e., to the coordinates that wereentered into the GPS receiver 40). It will also be appreciated thatother navigational techniques may be used in lieu of, or in addition to,GPS receivers to play geocaching games including, for example,assisted-GPS, Enhanced Observed Time Difference, Uplink Time Differenceof Arrival, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration and Cell ID.

While a GPS receiver may accurately pinpoint the location of a cache,physically getting to the cache may still be quite difficult. Forexample, a cache may be located on the side of a cliff such that it isonly be accessible by rock climbing, or may be located underwater orunderground. Many caches are located far away from any roads or othervehicle access points such that a long hike is required to reach thecache. Moreover, terrain barriers such as mountains, rivers, canyons,etc. may effectively increase the hiking distance required to reach acache, since the shortest route to a particular cache may not always bephysically possible to travel. In fact, part of the game may involveusing map reading skills to select a best route to a cache location thattakes into account both distance and terrain obstacles.

Additionally, once a player has used a GPS receiver to arrive at thelocation of the cache, it may still be a significant challenge to findthe hidden cache. While GPS receivers having accuracies to within aslittle as 6 to 20 feet are commercially available, many GPS receivershave far less accuracy, and may only place a player within 50-100 feetof the hidden cache. Moreover, the caches may be very small (some areeven referred to as microcaches, and may be no larger than a 35 mm filmcanister), and may be well concealed.

While conventional geocaching games have proven to be very popular, theyprimarily challenge participants at an individual level in the sensethat they may not involve team play and/or head-to-head competition withothers. As such, some conventional geocaching games may lack some of theteam camaraderie and/or competitive atmosphere that attracts manyindividuals to games and sports. Additionally, the rewards that areplaced in most caches have low monetary value, as caches are typicallymaintained and stocked by individuals who often have little incentive toleave valuable rewards for others. Most geocaching games involve hidingan actual cache, which may make some otherwise interesting locationsunsuitable as cache locations (e.g., the middle of a large public squarethat is devoid of hiding places). Moreover, significant volunteer workis required to maintain the many existing caches (which can be subjectto damage from environmental factors such as weather events or animals,vandalism and/or plundering) and to create new ones. As a result,geocaching games have generally not been commercialized in the way thatvideo games have.

In contrast, many conventional video games may involve directcompetition between (and/or interaction with) other game participants.Conventional video games may also be well-suited to commercialization inthe form of selling game modules, games and/or software, or in providingon-line games over the Internet that can be funded by pay-to-play fees,subscription fees and/or by Internet advertising. As a result of thiscommercial structure, it is possible to offer prizes to participants whowin multi-player games, as it may be relatively easy to fund the prizesthrough entrance fees and/or advertising revenues. However, manyconventional video games may be played solely on a computer, gameconsole or arcade unit, and hence often involve limited physicalactivity, and can result in eye strain when played for extended periodsof time. Conventional video games are also typically played indoors at asingle location, and thus may not involve any interaction with nature.

As noted above, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention,geocaching games, and related methods and computer program products, areprovided. In some embodiments of the present invention, the game mayprimarily comprise a video game that also includes a geocachingcomponent. Pursuant to this geocaching component, an individual that isplaying the game (a “player”) would be required to, or alternatively begiven the option of, traveling to a “waypoint” that is identified to theplayer as part of the video game in order to earn points, access todifferent levels of the video game or other desirable features or thingsthat assist the player in the video game. As noted above, herein a“waypoint” is a pre-selected physical location on the surface of theearth. In other embodiments, the game may primarily be a geocachinggame, but the cache aspects of the game are replaced with a “virtualcache” that is implemented in a video game like component of the gamethat might be accessible, for example, via a player's GPS-enabledcellular telephone. In still other embodiments, the game may againprimarily be a geocaching game, but may use video game like features togive the game a multiplayer aspect and to allow players to competeagainst one another.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that illustrates exemplary environments inwhich games 100 according to embodiments of the present invention may beused. As shown in FIG. 3, the environment may include a first location110 in which a game participant or “player” 112 initiates the game. Thisfirst location 110 might comprise, for example, the player's home oroffice. The player 112 may have a GPS receiver 114. The player 112 mayalso use a wireless transmitter 116 such as, for example, a cellulartelephone. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of thepresent invention the wireless transmitter 116 may be omitted. It willalso be appreciated that the GPS receiver 114 and the wirelesstransmitter 116 may be combined into a single device such as, forexample, a location-capable wireless telephone.

As is also shown in FIG. 3, the player 112 may also use a display 118and some form of computer or processor 120 that serves as a game console120. The display 118 and processor 120 may be located at the firstlocation 110. The display 118 and processor 120 may be used to runand/or present to the player 112 the video game aspects of the game 100.While FIG. 3 depicts the display 118 and the processor 120 as separateitems as would be the case, for example, with a computer and monitor orwith a Sony Playstation II® that is played on a television set, it willalso be appreciated that the display 118 and the processor 120 mayalternatively be implemented as a single unit as would be the case, forexample, with a Nintendo GameBoy®. It will also be appreciated that, incertain embodiments of the present invention, the display 118 and theprocessor 120 may be implemented in a cellular telephone (which may be alocation capable cellular telephone that serves as the GPS receiver 114and wireless transmitter 116) or in some other handheld or mobiledevice.

As is also shown in FIG. 3, the environment may also include a server132 that may be located at a second (remote) location 130. This remoteserver 132 may facilitate the playing of the game in a number ofdifferent ways. By way of example, in some embodiments of the presentinvention, some or all of the video game aspects of the game 100 may beimplemented as an online Internet or “web-based” game. In suchembodiments, a video game application 134 may be hosted on the remoteserver 132. The video game application 134 may deliver, over one or morenetworks 140 such as the Internet, web pages to the processor 120 whichare then displayed on the display 118. As discussed in more detailbelow, the remote server 132 (or some other remote server) may alsoreceive confirmation (via a network such as network 170) that the player112 has reached a waypoint, and in response to that confirmation awardthe player 112 a virtual prize in the video game application 134. Itwill be appreciated that while some embodiments of the present inventionare implemented as web-based games, in other embodiments, some or all ofthe video game aspects of the game may comprise a software application122 that is run on the processor 120 instead of on the remote server132.

As noted above, the player 112 may receive coordinates of a waypoint160. These coordinates may be provided to the game participant 112, forexample, via the video game and displayed to the player 112 on thedisplay 120. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3, after receiving thecoordinates, the player 112 may enter the coordinates into the GPSreceiver 114 and then use the GPS receiver 114 to travel to the waypoint160 associated with the coordinates.

As is also shown in FIG. 3, clues 162 and/or codes 164 may be located atthe waypoint 160. The player 112 may use these clues 162 and/or codes164 in aspects of either or both the geocaching and/or video gameportions of the game 100, as discussed in more detail herein. As is alsoshown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments of the present invention, thewireless transmitter 116 may send a message 180 to the video gameapplication (which may be, for example, video game application 134 onthe server 132 or the video game application 122 on the processor 118).The message 180 may include the coordinates of the GPS receiver 114 inorder to confirm that the player 112 was physically present at thewaypoint 160. In response to this confirmation, the player 112 may beawarded a virtual prize, as will be discussed in more detail herein withrespect to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in more detail with respect to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4-6.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the game 100 may primarilybe a video game that also includes a geocaching component. The game 100may include features such as, for example, virtual characters, figures,icons or objects whose movements and actions (e.g., firing weapons) arecontrolled by a player 112 of the video game in an effort to attain oneor more goals. In conventional video games, the goal of the game ofteninvolves having the character/object compete against othercharacters/objects, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, defeat enemies,avoid injury, etc.

In addition to these and/or other conventional video game features, thegame 100 also includes a geocaching component pursuant to which theplayer 112 of the game 100 would be required to, or alternatively begiven the option of, traveling to a waypoint 160 that is identified tothe player 112. Typically, the waypoint 160 would be identified to theplayer 112 through the video game aspect of the game 100, although otherimplementations are possible. The waypoint 160 would usually beidentified by a set of coordinates such as a latitude and a longitude,although, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the waypoint160 may be identified in other ways such as, for example, as clues to apuzzle that the player 112 must solve to figure out the coordinates of alocation or the location itself (i.e., the Washington Monument or someother well known historic or geographic landmark). Upon receiving thecoordinates or otherwise identifying the location of the waypoint 160,the player 112 may then locate and travel to the identified waypoint 160using, for example, conventional geocaching navigational techniques.Once at the waypoint 160, the player 112 may provide a confirmation thatthey have reached the identified waypoint 160. This confirmation couldbe provided, for example, by sending a message 180 from alocation-capable wireless device 114/116 to a processor 120 or server132 on which the video game portion of the game 100 is running. Thismessage 180 may include, for example, the coordinates of thelocation-capable wireless device 114/116. In other embodiments, thisconfirmation could be provided by, for example, the player 112 answeringa question that is presented to the player 112 via the video game, wherethe answer to the question may generally only be found at the waypoint160. In response to the player 112 confirming that they have in factreached the waypoint 160, the player 112 may be awarded a virtual prize.This virtual prize may comprise, for example, something that assists theplayer 112 in winning the video game aspects of the game 100. By way ofexample, the virtual prize could be points in the game 100, access to adifferent level in the game, puzzle pieces, clues, access to weapons,health points, or other features that assist the participant in the game100, etc.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary screen display 205 of a game 200 accordingto certain embodiments of the present invention in which the gamecomprises a video game that includes geocaching aspects. As shown inFIG. 4, the screen display 205 may include, for example, virtualcharacters, figures, icons or objects whose movements and actions arecontrolled by a player 112 of the game 200. As is also shown in FIG. 4,the video game aspect of the game 200 may include a plurality ofdifferent levels, as shown by the level indicator 210 in the top lefthand portion of the screen display 205. In certain embodiments of thepresent invention, the virtual prize that may be awarded upon receipt ofconfirmation that the player 112 has reached a waypoint 160 in thegeocaching aspect of the game 200 may be access to another level of thevideo game aspect of the game 200. As shown by the box 220 in the topright hand corner of the screen display 205 of FIG. 4, in someembodiments, the video game may include a variety of “accessories” 222such as weapons, armor, vehicles, etc. that a player 112 may use inattempting to achieve a goal of the video game. Typically, a player 112can select the accessories 222 that the virtual character/object uses atany given time. In further embodiments of the present invention, thevirtual prize that is awarded upon receipt of confirmation that theplayer 112 has reached a waypoint 160 in the geocaching aspect of thegame 200 may be access to additional accessories 222. As is also shownin FIG. 4, the video game may keep a running point total (box 230)and/or a health, life, time or other meter (box 240) which generallyruns down as the game 200 is played. In still other embodiments of thepresent invention, the virtual prize that is awarded upon receipt ofconfirmation that the player 112 has reached a waypoint 160 in thegeocaching aspect of the game 200 may be the award of points and/orhealth, life, time or other resources that are generally a scarce (i.e.,depleting) resource in the playing of the video game. Thus, by achievingsuccess in the geocaching aspect of the game 200, a player 112 mayimprove his performance in the video game aspect of the game 200according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the game 100 may bemore similar to a conventional geocaching game, but may also includevideo game aspects that may improve a player's gaming experience. By wayof example, the game could comprise a conventional geocaching gameexcept that the cache (and the contents thereof) that would be hidden atthe waypoint in a conventional geocaching game are replaced with a“virtual cache” that is implemented in a video game aspect of the game.FIG. 5 depicts exemplary screen displays 310 and 320 of one such game300.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, in the geocaching aspects of the game, aplayer 112 could use a location capable (i.e., GPS enabled) cellulartelephone 114/116 in place of a conventional GPS receiver. Upon arrivingat the coordinates of a selected waypoint 160, the player 112 mayconnect to a server 132 to confirm to the server 132 that the player 112had successfully arrived at the waypoint 160. As shown in FIG. 5, inresponse to confirming that the player 112 had arrived at the waypoint160, the server 132 would display to the player 112 on the display 118the items in the virtual cache. In particular, as shown in exemplarydisplay screen 310 (an exemplary screen is a depiction of a displayscreen that might be displayed to a player), such items might include alogbook 312 which contains information regarding other players who hadpreviously successfully made their way to the waypoint 160. The player112 may also be provided a mechanism for writing into the logbook, asshown in box 314 of screen 310. The player 112 may also be given accessto a virtual cache 322 that contains one or more objects or prizes 324,as shown in screen 320 of FIG. 5. The virtual cache 322 could beaccessed by the player 112 through the video game aspects of the game300. The player 112 might select an item 324 to remove from this virtualcache 322, thereby making the removed item 324 unavailable to playersthat later visit this particular waypoint 160. By way of example, thevideo game aspect of the game 300 could allow each player to have avirtual depository (which is not shown in FIG. 5) into which they candeposit items 324 that they remove from virtual caches 322 at thewaypoints 160 that they visit. In such a game, the goal could be to findand collect a full set of objects that are hidden through a plurality ofvirtual caches 322 that are associated with respective of a plurality ofwaypoints 160. The player 112 may also place other items in theirpossession (i.e., from their virtual depository) into the virtual cache322. In variations of such a game, players could be allowed to moveitems from one virtual cache to another, making it more complicated forother players who are trying to complete their set of objects. In eachof the above-described game, the virtual caches 322 and logbooks 312 mayreplace the physical caches that are used in conventional geocachinggames. Through the use of virtual caches, problems of, for example,upkeep, vandalism and plundering that can exist with physical caches maybe reduced and/or avoided altogether. In certain embodiments, thevirtual cache may also include coordinates and/or clues to the locationsof other caches, as shown in box 326 of FIG. 5. This may be the only wayfor a player 112 to obtain location information for some of thewaypoints 160.

In some cases, a player may have to visit more than one particularwaypoint in order to earn a prize and/or access to a virtual cache. Insuch embodiments, the player must first visit one or more pre-requisitewaypoints (as confirmed by GPS or other means) in order to be allowedaccess to the prize and/or virtual cache associated with another,“final” waypoint. The player could also be required to visit all of thewaypoints (i.e., the pre-requisite waypoints and the final waypoint) ina particular order and/or within a predetermined amount of time in orderto obtain the prize at the final waypoint. In still other embodiments, abasic prize may be awarded if the player reaches the final waypoint, andadditional bonus prizes are awarded if the player first reached one ormore of the pre-requisite waypoints and/or visited the waypoints in aparticular sequence.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, the game mayagain primarily comprise a geocaching game, but may also include videogame components that may allow for increased competition and interactionbetween players. By way of example, in some embodiments, the game may bepresented as a video game in which players compete against other playersand/or the game itself. In such embodiments, players may obtain thecoordinates and/or other clues for waypoints via the video gameinterface. The players may then physically travel to selected waypointsusing, for example, traditional geocaching techniques. Players may beawarded prizes within the video game, such as, for example, points, forsuccessfully arriving at each waypoint. The amount of points awarded maybe based on a wide variety of factors, including, for example, thedifficulty involved in getting to the waypoint (which may be an absolutedifficulty or may be variable depending, for example, on a player'sstarting location), the time it took the participant to arrive at thewaypoint after receipt of the coordinates thereof, the player's order inarriving at the waypoint as compared to other players, etc.

FIG. 6 depicts a screen display 405 of exemplary embodiments of such agame 400. As shown in FIG. 6, the video game aspect of the game 400 mayprovide a player 112 a list of virtual caches 410, as well as anidentification of the points 420 that will be awarded if the player 112successfully reaches the waypoint 160 associated with each virtualcache. A listing of players having the highest point totals 430 couldalso be provided. In certain embodiments of the game 400, each player112 might attempt to obtain a complete set of virtual objects that areawarded to a player 112 for successfully accomplishing feats such asarriving at a waypoint 160. In such embodiments, the screen display 405could also list the virtual objects in each player's possession 440and/or the virtual objects that are currently in each virtual cache(which, as noted above, may change over time if players have the abilityto remove virtual objects from a virtual cache and/or to add virtualobjects to a virtual cache).

Numerous variations on the above-described games are also within thescope of the present invention. By way of example, the game could be amurder mystery or other “clue” based game in which players 112 travel towaypoints 160 in order to earn clues that will help them to solve amystery. In such games, the virtual prize that is awarded to a player112 upon arrival at a waypoint 160 may be a clue to a mystery. Such agame may be played by a single player 112 who attempts to solve themystery, or by a plurality of players 112 who are racing each other tobe the first to solve the mystery. In some embodiments of such a game,other clues could be made available to players 112 for achieving successin an associated video game aspect of the game. In still otherembodiments, multiple players could choose to cooperate as opposed tocompete against each other. In particular, one or more teams of playerscould self-assemble or be formed, and this team or teams could then worktogether to achieve an award and/or to share in awards achieved by otherteam members. When multiple teams exist, the teams could compete againstone another. Pre-configured rules for team play may be provided, and theplayers may select and/or agree to some or all of these pre-configuredrules in order to establish the rules that apply for such teamgeocaching games.

As discussed above, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, aplayer may be awarded a virtual prize, given access to a virtual cacheand/or allowed to record an entry into a virtual logbook. In certainembodiments of the present invention, at least some of these gamefeatures may comprise data that may be manually or automatically (viasoftware) inserted into existing types of messages such as, for example,e-mail messages, SMS messages, text messages, etc. By way of example,when a player reaches a waypoint, the game may send a message to theplayer's cellular telephone or other wireless device (or cause thedevice to make a pop-up window appear) that states, for example: “Youhave reached waypoint XYZ. If you wish to add an entry to the virtuallogbook for this waypoint, text message your entry to address123-456-7890.” Each virtual logbook could have a unique number oraddress, and the game could require confirmation that the player is atthe waypoint before allowing the player access to the virtual log asdescribed above. As another example, the virtual prize could be a codethat allows a player access to another level of a video game aspect ofthe game. The access code may be sent to the player, upon confirmationthat the player reached the waypoint, in a text, SMS or e-mail message(or as an attachment thereto). Such an implementation would also allowfor players to conveniently share and/or trade virtual prizes.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating methods of implementing a gameaccording to certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7, the method may start with the provision of the location of awaypoint (block 500). As discussed above, the location may be specifiedin terms of a set of coordinates or in some other fashion, and may beprovided in the video game aspect of the game or in some other fashion.Next, the game may involve confirming that the player physically arrivedat the waypoint (block 510). This may be done, for example, by receivinga message from the player transmitted over a location-capable wirelessdevice, where the message includes information as to a current locationof the location-capable wireless device, or by receiving a message fromthe player that contains information that was obtained at the waypoint.In some embodiments of these methods, a virtual prize that is to beawarded to the user may then be selected (block 520). This selection maytake place, for example, where there are a plurality of different prizesthat might be awarded. A number of different criteria may be used toselect the virtual prize. For example, in some embodiments, the virtualprize may be selected based at least in part on a time that the playeris confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint. In otherembodiments, the virtual prize may be selected based at least in part onthe time that the player is confirmed as being physically present at thewaypoint as compared to the respective times that one or more otherplayers are confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint. Instill other embodiments, the virtual prize may be selected based atleast in part on the time that the player is confirmed as beingphysically present at the waypoint as compared to a time that theinformation regarding the location of the waypoint was provided to theplayer. It will be also appreciated that numerous other criteria forselecting the virtual prize may be used. Finally, as shown at block 530of FIG. 7, the virtual prize may be awarded to the player.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating methods of implementing geocachinggames according to further embodiments of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 8, the method may start with the receipt of a message froma player of the game that indicates that the player has visited apre-selected waypoint. This message may be sent by the player from thewaypoint using a wireless transmitter such as, for example, a GPSenabled cellular telephone, or may alternatively be sent by the playerat a later time from, for example, the player's home or office. Next,the game may involve confirming that the player physically arrived atthe waypoint (block 610). This may be done, for example, by receiving amessage from the player transmitted over a location-capable wirelessdevice, where the message includes information as to a current locationof the location-capable wireless device, or by receiving a message fromthe player that contains information that was obtained at the waypoint.Finally, a virtual prize may be awarded to the player (block 620).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system 700 which may be used toimplement games according to certain embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 9, the system 700 includes a processor 710,a memory 720, a display 740 and a user interface 750. As shown in FIG.9, the processor 710 is coupled to a user interface 750 and a display740. As noted above, in some embodiments of the present invention, theuser interface, the display and the processor may be co-located, andconnected, for example, by an internal bus, cables, etc. In otherembodiments, the processor 710 may be a remote server or other processorthat is connected to the user interface 750 and/or display 740 over oneor more networks.

The processor. 710 may communicate with the memory 720 via anaddress/data bus 760. The processor 710 can be any commerciallyavailable or custom microprocessor. The memory 720 is representative ofthe overall hierarchy of memory devices. The memory 720 can include, butis not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAM, and DRAM. As shown in FIG. 9, thememory 720 may include, for example, an operating system 722 and thevideo game application 724. The memory may also include data associatedwith the video game (e.g., the contents of each players virtualdepository) and input/output (I/O) device drivers 770. As will beappreciated by those of skill in the art, the operating system 722 maybe any operating system suitable for use with a data processing system,such as OS/2, AIX, System390 or z/OS from International BusinessMachines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., Windows2000 or WindowsXP fromMicrosoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., Unix or Linux. The I/O devicedrivers 770 typically include software routines accessed through theoperating system 722 by the application programs such as the video gameapplication 724 to communicate with devices such as I/O data port(s) andcertain memory components.

It will also be appreciated that embodiments of the present inventionmay include mechanisms for providers of the game to commercially profitfrom making the game available to players. By way of example, in onlineversions of the game in which HTML web pages are transmitted from a gameserver 132 for display on a players display 118, at least some of theHTML web pages that are displayed may include banner or other types ofadvertisements and/or hyperlinks. The game provider may sell or rentadvertising space on the HTML web pages. Such an online version of thegame could also be set up so that players are charged subscription feesto get access to the game (or to get access to various aspects, featuresand/or levels of the game). Other embodiments may be software based,where a player, for example, loads software onto their computer orpurchases a cartridge that may be loaded into a game console. In theseembodiments, the software and/or cartridge may be sold to players,allowing a game provider to recoup their investment in creating,developing and distributing the game. In still other embodiments,players could be offered the opportunity to purchase virtual prizes orother things that assist the player in achieving the goal of the game.For instance, to obtain access to a particular level of a game, a playermight have to successfully travel to a particular waypoint that is quitedifficult to reach. Some players of the game might find it too difficultto reach this waypoint. In certain embodiments of the present invention,players could be given the option of purchasing access to the level by,for example, a credit card payment to the game provider. This mayprovide another mechanism for a game provider to recoup their investmentand/or to profit from making the game available.

Many geocaching games may be primarily or completely implemented,without charge by enthusiasts of the game. In fact, geocachingenthusiasts have gone to great lengths and expense in setting up caches,complicated murder mystery games, etc. for other geocaching enthusiaststo play. Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, mechanismscould be provided which allow such enthusiasts to continue to establishgames that are then incorporated into an overall game suite that is madeavailable by a gaming provider. For example, geocaching enthusiasts mayestablish, modify and/or manage particular games via, for example, aweb-based interface. The web-interface may allow such an enthusiast tostart (and subsequently manage) a game by defining various aspects ofthe game such as the type of game, the waypoints, the virtual objectsincluded in each virtual cache, specific rules for the game, etc. Theseaspects may be defined using menu and/or parameter selections. Theenthusiast could, for example, choose waypoints from a pre-defined listof waypoints or could create new waypoints and associated virtualcaches. The virtual objects could be selected and/or obtained fromcustomized lists, downloadable software, on line tool boxes, from tradeswith other players, purchased, etc. The web-interface may also includecollaboration tools that allow teams of game designers to successivelyadd to a game while ensuring that the subsequent changes and/oradditions to the game do not damage the functionality of the game byautomatically checking for self-consistency and/or by applying othertypes of checking rules. It will also be appreciated that the gamingprovider may develop their own games to include in the game suite.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, a playerslocation in the physical world may be displayed on maps which can beaccessed in the video game aspect of the game. In such embodiments, alocation-capable wireless transmitter may be used to periodically updatea game server/application regarding the location of a particular user.This feature may be particularly desirable in multi-player games, as itwill allow other players to track their competitors and perhaps deducetheir game strategies.

In one set of specific embodiments, a wireless telephone provider mayoffer geocaching games such as the games described herein as part of aservice. The game could be run on one or more computer serversmaintained by the wireless provider. A software application running onthe server could verify when a player reaches a waypoint by, forexample, receiving a message sent by the player on a location-capablecellular telephone or by receiving a message that includes specificinformation that the player was told to find at the waypoint and send tothe server. In these embodiments, the virtual prize that is awarded tothe player may be accessed by the player via the cellular telephonewhile present at the waypoint. The player could also be given theopportunity to view and/or make entries into a virtual logbookassociated with the waypoint while at the waypoint (e.g., via thecellular telephone). Any video game aspect of the game could also beaccessed by the player using their cellular telephone. This servicecould be run, for example, as a pay-to-play or subscription service.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a method and/or as a system. Moreover, aspects ofembodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computerprogram product on a computer-usable storage medium havingcomputer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitablecomputer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, atransmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet,or magnetic storage devices.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be implemented using programmable aspects of existingapplication programs. Aspects of the computer program code may also bewritten in an object oriented programming language such as Java®,Smalltalk or C++ and/or using a conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language. The program code mayexecute entirely on a single computer or on multiple computers, whichmay or may not be co-located.

The present invention is described above with reference to flowchartillustrations and block diagrams of methods and systems according toembodiments of the invention. It will be understood that blocks of theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computeror other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implementedprocess such that the instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplaryembodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are employed, theyare used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being defined by the followingclaims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of implementing a game, the methodcomprising: providing information regarding a location of a respectiveone of a plurality of waypoints to a player of the game via a processor;confirming that the player of the game physically arrived at therespective one of the plurality of waypoints via the processor,comprising receiving a message from the player transmitted over alocation-capable wireless device, wherein the message includesinformation as to a current location of the location-capable wirelessdevice; displaying to the player via the location-capable wirelessdevice items in a virtual cache associated with the respective one ofthe plurality of waypoints, wherein the player is allowed to remove afirst item from the virtual cache and deposit the first item in avirtual depository, and wherein the player is allowed to move a seconditem from the virtual cache to another virtual cache associated withanother of the plurality of waypoints to make it more complicated forother players to acquire the second item, wherein the virtual cache andthe another virtual cache are accessed through a video game aspect ofthe game, wherein each player of the game has their own respectivevirtual depository, and wherein each player of the game is competing tocomplete their own set of virtual objects; and awarding the player avirtual prize via the processor in response to confirming that theplayer of the game physically arrived at the respective one of theplurality of waypoints, wherein the virtual prize comprises points inthe video game, and wherein the points are awarded based on an absolutedifficulty in arriving at the respective one of the plurality ofwaypoints, a variable difficulty in arriving at the respective one ofthe plurality of waypoints, the variable difficulty being based on astarting location of the player when traveling to the respective one ofthe plurality of waypoints, and a time taken for the player to arrive atthe respective one of the plurality of waypoints after the providing ofthe information regarding the location of the respective one of theplurality of waypoints to the player.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising displaying to the player via the location-capable wirelessdevice a logbook that contains information regarding other players whohad successfully made their way to the waypoint, and wherein the playercan write an entry into the logbook via the location-capable wirelessdevice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the player thevirtual prize in response to confirming that the player of the gamephysically arrived at the respective one of the plurality of waypointsfurther comprises: awarding the points in the video game based on a timethat the player is confirmed as being physically present at therespective one of the plurality of waypoints as compared to respectivetimes that other players of the game are confirmed as being physicallypresent at the respective one of the plurality of waypoints, and on anorder the player arrived at the respective one of the plurality ofwaypoints with respect to the other players.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the information regarding the location of the respective one ofthe plurality of waypoints comprises a set of coordinates for therespective one of the plurality of waypoints.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the confirming that the player physically arrived at therespective one of the plurality of waypoints comprises receiving amessage from the player that contains information that was obtained atthe respective one of the plurality of waypoints.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the information regarding the location of the respective oneof the plurality of waypoints is provided to the player by the videogame.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the virtual prize is awardedafter confirming that the player removed a set of items from the virtualcaches of the respective plurality of waypoints.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising using the video game to present a question to theplayer.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the virtual prize is selectedin part based on whether the player provides a correct answer to thequestion.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method furthercomprises displaying a physical location of one of the other players ona display that displays the game.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising awarding the player the virtual prize while the player isphysically present at the respective one of the plurality of waypoints.12. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging the player a feeto access the game.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying an advertisement on a display used by the player to play thegame.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of waypointscomprise a first waypoint, the method further comprising providing theplayer information regarding a location of a second waypoint in responseto confirming that the player physically arrived at the first waypoint.15. A video game that includes a non-transitory computer usable storagemedium having computer readable program code embodied in the medium, thecomputer readable program code when executed by a processor causes theprocessor to perform operations comprising: providing informationregarding a location of a respective one of a plurality of waypoints toa player of the game; confirming that the player of the video gamephysically arrived at the respective one of the plurality of waypoints,comprising receiving a message from the player transmitted over alocation-capable wireless device, wherein the message includesinformation as to a current location of the location-capable wirelessdevice; displaying to the player via the location-capable wirelessdevice items in a virtual cache associated with the respective one ofthe plurality of waypoints; allowing the player to remove a first itemfrom the virtual cache and deposit the first item in a virtualdepository; allowing the player to move a second item from the virtualcache to another virtual cache associated with another of the pluralityof waypoints to make it more complicated for other players to acquirethe second item, wherein the virtual cache and the another virtual cacheare accessed through a video game aspect of the game, wherein eachplayer of the game has their own respective virtual depository, andwherein each player of the game is competing to complete their own setof virtual objects; and awarding the player a virtual prize in responseto confirming that the player of the video game physically arrived atthe respective one of the plurality of waypoints, wherein the virtualprize comprises points in the video game, and wherein the points areawarded based on an absolute difficulty in arriving at the respectiveone of the plurality of waypoints, a variable difficulty in arriving atthe respective one of the plurality of waypoints, the variabledifficulty being based on a starting location of the player whentraveling to the respective one of the plurality of waypoints, and atime taken for the player to arrive at the respective one of theplurality of waypoints after the providing of the information regardingthe location of the respective one of the plurality of waypoints to theplayer.
 16. The video game of claim 15, wherein the operations furthercomprise: displaying to the player via the location-capable wirelessdevice a logbook that contains information regarding other players whohad successfully made their way to the respective one of the pluralityof waypoints, and wherein the player can write an entry into the logbookvia the location-capable wireless device.
 17. The video game of claim15, wherein awarding the player a virtual prize in response toconfirming that the player of the video game physically arrived at therespective one of the plurality of waypoints further comprises awardingthe points in the video game based on a time that the player isconfirmed as being physically present at the respective one of theplurality of waypoints as compared to respective times that otherplayers of the video game are confirmed as being physically present atthe respective one of the plurality of waypoints, and on an order theplayer arrived at the respective one of the plurality of waypoints withrespect to the other players.
 18. The video game of claim 15, whereinthe video game comprises a web-based video game.
 19. The video game ofclaim 17, wherein the virtual prize comprises a key that facilitatesentry into a different level of the video game.